Sheet feeding apparatus for coating machines

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for applying a lacquer or similar protective coating to one surface of a metal sheet is constructed with upper and lower sub-assemblies. The upper sub-assembly includes an applicator roll, a lacquer supply means, and metering rollers for applying a controlled layer of lacquer to the applicator roll. The lower sub-assembly includes an impression roll and a clean-up system therefor, with the elements of the clean-up system being readily movable to accessible positions by means of slide and/or pivot connections. A register conveyor, which receives metal sheets from an initial conveyor, delivers these sheets to a suction belt that feeds the metal sheets to the nip between the applicator and impression rolls in timed relation therewith. The register conveyor is adjustable while running without disturbing coordination thereof with the initial conveyor. Operation of air operated side guide means is controlled by a cam operated switch mounted on the movable carrier to which the register conveyor is mounted so that adjustment of the register conveyor does not require readjustment of side guide operation.

United States Patent Williams Nov. 27, 1973 SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS FOR COATING MACHINES [75] Inventor: Robert Williams, Dover, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation, New

York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 178,343

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1961 Brigham 271/49 X 2/1972 Prange et al 271/48 X Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-James W. Miller Attorney--Cynthia Berlow [5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for applying a lacquer or similar protective coating to one surface of a metal sheet is constructed with upper and lower sub-assemblies. The upper subassembly includes an applicator roll, a lacquer supply means, and metering rollers for applying a controlled layer of lacquer to the applicator roll. The lower subassembly includes an impression roll and a clean-up system therefor, with the elements of the clean-up system being readily movable to accessible positions by means of slide and/or pivot connections. A register conveyor, which receives metal sheets from an initial conveyor, delivers these sheets to a suction belt that feeds the metal sheets to the nip between the applicator and impression rolls in timed relation therewith. The register conveyor is adjustable while running without disturbing coordination thereof with the initial conveyor. Operation of air operated side guide means is controlled by a cam operated switch mounted on the movable carrier to which the register conveyor is mounted so that adjustment of the register conveyor does not require readjustment of side guide operation.

5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PAIENTEB W 3. 774.905

sum 5 or 6 SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS FOR COATING MACHINES This invention relates generally to apparatus for coating sheet material, and more particularly relates to apparatus for accurately applying a controlled protective coat to sheets of metal.

In the production of cans and bottle caps, as well as during the production of other articles from metal sheets a protective layer of lacquer or the like is applied to the metal sheet either over an entire surface thereof of over selected surface portions having printing thereon.

The layer of laquer must be accurately placed and must be of accurate film thickness. In many instances it is critical that the protective material be applied to only one surface of the sheet. Because of this last requirement the impression roll or cylinder surface portions engaging the sheets must be clean. Thus, a continuous cleaning operation usually takes place. This is particularly so when the apparatus is used to apply lacquer over the entire surface of a sheet rather than on 'selected areas thereof. This condition also exists when the sheet material is narrower than the length of the applicator roll.

The clean-up system of the instant invention includes means for applying a coating of lacquer to the impression roll surface portion leaving contact with the sheet material, a scraper which removes this lacquer, a solvent applicator means including wiping elements, and a scraper to remove excess solvent. The elements of the clean-up system are mounted so as to be readily accessible. That is, the output conveyor is pivotally mounted so as to be movable away from a feed-path for the sheet material and permit access to the feed-out end of the apparatus where the trough of lacquer for application to the impression roll is located. This trough is of a convenient size for ready removal. The solvent applicator means is mounted on a slide so as to be moved readily to a position remote from engagement with the impression roll. Both scrapers are pivotally mounted so as to be movable to positions where they are readily accessible for inspection and/or change. In its inspection position the lacquer scraper is adjacent to the solvent applicator, so that solvent from the latter may be applied to the former for cleaning thereof when the impression roll clean-up system is not in operation.

A pair of metering rolls transfer lacquer from another trough to the application roll. The latter is mounted in split bearings which are readily separated to facilitate changing of the applicator roll. The metering rolls are located above the sheet metal feed path and on the infeed side of the applicator roll, so that rotation of the metering rolls is in a direction which naturally tends to drive foreign objects away from the metering gap formed at the nip between the metering rolls. In addition, drippings from the metering system will not fall on a coated sheet.

The input conveying system includes suction feed belt means, and overlapping initial and register belt conveyors both carrying pushers. These belt conveyors are driven in timed relation with respect to the speed of the applicator and impression rolls. In particular, the suction belt means is timed to deliver sheets to the nip between the applicator and impression rolls at a speed corresponding to the peripheral speed of these rolls. The initial conveyor deliverssheets to a register conveyor, adjustable during operation thereof. In turn, the

latter delivers these sheets to the suction feed belt 7 means.

Accordingly, a primary object of the instant invention is to provide novel and improved apparatus, for applying a protective coating to sheet metal, in which the major parts are readily accessible for changeover and servicing.

Another object is to provide apparatus of this type in which the applicator roll is readily removable.

Still another object is to provide apparatus of this type including a sub-assembly comprising the applicator roll and a pair of metering rolls located on the infeed side of the applicator roll.

A further object is to provide apparatus of this type having a novel clean-up system for the impression roll.

A still further object is to provide apparatus of this type having a novel sheet conveying system including a register conveyor adjustable during operation thereof and remaining synchronized with aregister conveyor.

Yet another object is to provide novel side guide operating means for apparatus of this type.

These objects as well as other objects of this invention will become readily apparent after reading the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective of coating apparatus constructed in accordance with teachings of the instant invention, the apparatus being viewed from a point at the in-feed end and operating side thereof.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end view looking rearward from a point immediately in front of the applicator and impression rolls.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged fragmentary portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the applicator or upper suba'ssembly looking at the operating side thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end view looking in the direction of arrows 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the impression or lower subassembly.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the lower sub-assembly looing at the operating side thereof.v

FIG. 7 isa transverse cross-section of the impression assembly looking from the drive side toward the operating side.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating the driving coordination between the elements of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of one of the timed suction belts at the in-feed end of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A is a cross-section taken through line 9A--9A of FIG. 9 looking in the direction of arrow 9A-9A.

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the side guides and their operating means.

Now referring toi'the figures. Broadly speaking, coating apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 includes in-feed conveyor 19, which delivers sheets of metal between upper subassembly 18 (FIG. 3) and lower sub-assembly 17 (FIG. 6), and delivery conveyor 16 which receives sheets is suing from assemblies 17, 18.

Briefly, in-feed conveyor 19 includes two endless double stranded chains 21, each carrying four double pushers 22a-22d, which deliver the sheets to be coated to three register pusher chains 23 each carrying a single pusher 25. Chains 23 are mounted to common support 24 (FIG. 8) which is longitudinally movable under the control of adjusting crank wheel 24a. Chains 23 have a faster linear speed than chains 21 and deliver metal sheets to timed suction belts 26 operating at a linear speed equal to the peripheral speed of applicator roll 31. Short belt 501, disposed near the rear of chain 21 with the upper flight of belt 201 and chain 21 in alignment, provides traction for the aforesaid sheets before engagement thereof by pushers 22a-d.

Sheets driven by in-feed conveyor 19 move in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 6) along feed path F extending into the nip 28 between applicator roll 31 and impression roll 32.Sheets exiting from between rolls 31 and 32 are carried away by the transversely spaced continuous belts 33 of delivery conveyor 16.

Now referring more particularly to FIG. 8 showing the driving connections between the elements hereinbefore described. Output shaft 34 of main drive motor 35 (FIG. 1) operates speed reducer 35a whose output, acting through chain 35b and sprocket 38, drives main cross shaft 29 having sprockets 36, 37 keyed thereto. Sprocket 36 drives timing belt 39, which is guided along a path defined by pulleys 40-47. Pulleys 42, 43

are keyed directly to shafts 48, 49, respectively, of the respective fountain rolls 52, 53. Pulley 44 is keyed to shaft 50 of applicator roll 31 and pulley 46 is keyed to shaft 51 of impression roll 32.

Sprocket 37 acts through chain 54 to drive sprocket 55 keyed to shaft 47, also having sprocket 56 keyed thereto. One section of sprocket 56, acting through chain 58 and sprocket 59, drives outboard register conveyor chains 23. Sprocket 59, acting through chain 61 and sprocket 62a, drives the center register conveyor chain 23 along a path defined by sprockets 59 and 82. Pulley 36, acting through belt 69, drives sprocket 71 keyed to shaft 72 for suction belts 26 keyed thereto. Another sprocket 56-acting through chain 502 drives sprocket 62a which drives chain 21 guided by idlers 62-68. Belt 501 extends between pulleys 504, 505 with the former being driven by belt 503 which is driven by sprocket 65.

It is noted that the references previously made to chains and sprockets are not limited to conventional narrow-tooth sprockets and metal-link chains, but in some cases include rubberized or plastic belts having transverse teeth on one or both sides thereto which mate with grooves in timing wheels. It is also noted that a number of sprockets, such as sprockets 59, are shown schematically as a single unit when each actually comprises a number of sprocket elements keyed to the same shaft with eachof these sprocket elements driving different chains.

As also seen in F IG. 8, pusher is an angleshaped member pivotally connected to chain 23 by pin 76 near the mid-point of the vertical leg'25a of pusher 25. The free or forward end of the horizontal leg 25b of pusher 25 mounts rod end bearing 77, which is attached to horizontal slide 78 of horizontally adjustable support 24. Thus, the cooperation of rod end bearing 77 and slide 78 controls the inclination of the vertical leg 25a for different positions thereof along feed path F. In particular, when pin -76 is moving downward around sprocket 59, pusher 25 is pivoted in a clockwise direction about pin 76, so that the portion of pusher 25 extending above feed path F is positively moved out of engagement with the trailing edge of the sheet being moved under the control of suction feed belts 26. Output conveyor belts 33 (FIG. 1) are also driven off of main shaft 34 supplying power to a shaft (not shown) coaxial with pivot 207 about which frame of delivery conveyor means 16 is tiltable.

As seen in FIGS. 9 and 9A, suction belt 26 is formed with internal teeth 79 adjacent the sides thereof that extend into grooves 79 in sprockets 73, 73a. The central portion of belt 26, or the portion thereof between the rows of teeth 79, is provided with perforations 80. The upper flight of belt 26 passes adjacent the upper surface of suction chamber 81, positioned between sprockets 73, 73a and surrounded by belt 26. Thus, the suction force present within chamber 81 acts through perforations 80 in belt 26 to enable the latter to firmly grip sheets delivered by pusher 25 and carry such sheets in timed relation into nip 28 between rolls 31 and 32.

Adjustable support 24, guided for horizontal adjustment, mounts sprockets 59, 82, 62, 63, 68 and 54a. Thus, as support 24 is adjusted horizontally so that pusher 25 releases the trailing edge of a sheet as the leading edge thereof is engaged by rollers 31, 32, initial pushers 22a-d are also moved and thereby automatically adjusted to remain coordinated with register pusher 25. This is, initial pushers 22a-d deliver the trailing edge of a sheet in position for engagement by register pusher 25 as the latter begins to move forward along the upper flight path of chain 23.

As seen in FIGS. 8 and 10, disposed to the rear of nip 28 between rollers 31, 32 are a pair of side guides 510, 511 which engage the respective sides 516, 517 of sheetS, as sheet S is moved forward in the direction of arrow A by. register pushers 25. Respective side guide bars 510, 511 are moved inward toward their operating positions, with the two circumferentially grooved wheels 575 mounted to each bar 510, 511 in engagement with edges 516, 517 of sheet S by fluid operated power cylinders 514, 515, respectively. Springs (not shown) within power cylinders 514, 515 act to retract bars 510, 511 to their inoperative positions outboard of edges 510, 511. Inward movement of the side guide bars 510, 511 is limited by adjustable stops 518 positioned in the path of elements 519 projecting from operating rod 521 of each of the power cylinders 514, 515. The operating force exerted by power cylinder 515 is less than the force exerted by power cylinder 514, so that after projection 519 of cylinder 514 engages stop 518 side guide 511 is positioned by engagement with sheet edge 517, with sheet edge 516 being forced against side guide 510 by side guide 511.

Operation of power cylinders 514, 515 is controlled by actuator 525 having fluid operated switch 526 for triggering operation of pilot switches 528, 529. Pilot 528 is interposed between fluid pressure source 532 and power cylinder 514, and pilot 529 is interposed between power cylinder 515 and fluid pressure source 533, with the latter being at a lower pressure than source 532.

Actuator 525 includes cylindrical cam 533 for operating follower 534 rotatably mounted at the end of operating arm 535 for switch 526. The axial position of cam 533 along its shaft 536 determines the portion of each cycle during which switch 526 is actuated. Phasing of actuator 525 relative to other elements of the apparatus, is controlled by the relative positions of a pair of meshing helical gears 538, 539, with the axial position of the shorter helical gear 539 along its shaft 537 being used to control phase. The input to actuator 525 is through spur gear 541, keyed to shaft 542 for the longer helical gear 538. The latter drives the gear'539 to rotate its shaft 537 .and drive spur gear 543 keyed thereto, and inmesh with spur'gear 544keyed to cam shaft536 thereby'r'otating cam 533.

Actuator 525 is mounted to horizontally adjustable frame plate 24, which carries register pushers 25 and their operating elements. The power forgear 541 is taken by a timing chain from the same source that supplies power to drive register 'pushers 25. For each movement of support plate 24:to. adjust the longitudinal positionof register'pusher chains 23, there is a rotation of pusher chain sprockets 59,82 and a related rotation of input gear'54l of actuator 525, so that operation of actuator S25 remains coordinated with operation of register pusher chains 23. It is noted that the phasing and percent of dwell for actuator 525 are set so that power cylinders 514, 515 .are'deactuated when sheet S is being pulled forward'by the cooperation of rolls 31, 32.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, upper sub-assembly 18 includes application roll 31, whose shaft 50 is rotatably supported at opposite ends in bearings 86 secured to the forward edges of movable side frame members 87; Spacing'between the latter ismaintained by a plurality of transverse members including 111136870. Stub shafts 88, extending outboard of frame members 87, pivotally mount the latter :to blocks 89 that are removably secured to stationary sideframe members 90 by bolts that extend through vertical slots'91 in block 89. The upper ends of power cylinder operating rods 88a are connected at the rear of frame members 87 to pivot the entire sub-assembly 18 about stub shafts 88 to control engagement between rolls 31, 32.

The periphery of rear metering roll 52 runs through pivoted removably mounted .drip pan 97 that is positioned to catch drippings from the pool of lacquer in the open-ended trough formed by the cooperation of roll 52 and rough metering means blade 52a positioned close to the periphery of roll 52..Blade 52a is pivoted toward and awayfromroll 52 by operation of lever 52b and locked in position by operation of lever 520. The ends of metering roll shaft 48 are joumalled in bearings secured to blocks 92 that are slidably mountedon supports 93 for limited front and-back movement with respect thereto under the control of adjusting wheel 93b operated on shaft 93c by hand crank 94. The ends of metering roll shaft 49 are joumalled for rotation in bearings supported by upward extensions 93a of supports 93. The latter are supported by the upper edges of movable frame members 87, and are mounted for limited front-to-back movement with respect thereto, such movement being controlled by adjusting wheel 95 operated on shaft 950 by hand crank 96. Thus, the width of fine'metering gap M (space between metering rolls 52, 53) is controlled by the setting of adjusting wheel 93, and the gap G between metering roll 53 and applicator roll 31 is controlled by the setting of adjusting wheel 95. It is-noted that the adjustmentof gap M does not disturb the adjustment of gap G, nor does the adjustment of gap G.disturb the adjustment of gap M. Hand cranks 98, pivotally mounted to movable frame members'87, are interconnected by transverse rod 99. Operation of either crank 98 is effective to'move both supports'93 rearward, or to the right'with respect to FIG. 3, a distance such that the width of gap G becomes too large to permit transfer of lacquer from metering roll 53 to applicator roll 31.

1 Now referring more particularly toFlGS. 5, 6 and 7 fora description of roller sub-assembly 17, which includes impression roll 32 whose shaft 51 is joumalled for rotation in bearings secured to movable side frame members 101. Transverse tubular members 161 maintain the proper spacing between side frame members 101. Extending parallel to shaft 51, positioned between movable framemembers 101, and mounted thereto are the elements constituting a clean-up system for impression roll 32. Proceeding counter-clockwise about impression roll 32, beginning at a point on the delivery side of the gap between rolls 31 and 32, such clean-up system includes lacquer supply trough 102, initial scraper 103, lacquer solvent applicator 104, and final scraper 105. Trough 102 is mounted on the sloping upper support surfaces of brackets 106, mounted on the inside surfaces of movable frame members 101. Initial scraper blade 103 is mounted along one edge to run-off pan 107, which is pivotally mounted at 108 to the'upper ends of arms 131. The latter are pivotally mounted at their lower ends 132 to movable frame members 101. Each end of pan 107 is pivotally connected at point 111 to the upper end of an individual power cylinder having-its lower end pivotally connected at 109 to frame member 101. Thus, actuation of power cylinder 110 causes ends 111 to move upward, pivoting pan 107 about 108 and urging scraper blade 103 into scraping engagement with the periphery of impression roll 32.

Solvent applicator 104 includes elongated head 410, supported at opposite ends by brackets 112 connected to the end walls 113 of run-off pan 114. A tube (not shown) for supplying a lacquer solvent under pressure to head 410 is connected to the lower end of tube 1 15 outside of 'pan 114. The upper end of tube 115a communicates with the interior of head 410. Spaced parallel elongated felt strips 116, 117 at the upper end of head 410 are normally in wiping engagement with the periphery of impression roll 32, being urged thereagainst by springs 118 connected to pan 114. Pan 1 14 is operated to its lowered or clean-up position by using -crank 121 to rotate shaft 122. Cable 124 is connected at one end to pan 114 and at the other end to shaft 122, so that as the latter is rotated cable 124 curles thereabout causing pan 1 14 to move downward. This downward'movementis guided by rearwardly slanting tracks 125 which receive guide bars 125, at the ends of pan 114. Ratchet means 490 maintains pan 114 in its lowered position-against the force of coiled spring 118 in housing 412 which acts through cable 411 to urge pan 114 upward to its operating position. Another spring 1 18, in housing 412a, also acts to urge pan 1 14 upward. With pan 114 in its lowered or clean-up position of FIG. 7, scraper blade 103 may be pivoted clockwise with respect to FIG. 7 about pins 132 as a center to a position adjacent felt strips 116 and 117 of solvent applicator 104, so that solvent from the latter may be used to clean doctor blade 103.

Final scraper blade 105 is mounted along the edge of angle bracket 135, which is pivotally connected at the ends thereof to the upper ends 136 of arms 137, whose lower ends 138 are pivotally connected to movable frame members 101. Each end of angle iron is pivotally connected at 139 to the upper end of power cylinder 140, whose lower end is pivotally connected at 1 41 to movable side frame 101. Thus, actuation of power cylinder 140 is effective to urge scraper blade 105 into scraping engagement with the periphery of impression roll 32. When it is desired to clean or change final scraper blade 105, the latter is moved to position 105a in FIG. by pivoting arms 137 in a clockwise direction with respect to FIG. 5.

Vertical guide strips 115 at each side of movable frame member 101 are received by complementary vertical slots on the interior of stationary frame 90 to guide movement of lower subassembly when power cylinder 115 (FIG. 6) is actuated and deactuated. In particular, the right end 152 of cylinder 151 is pivotally connected to stationary frame 90 by bracket 153 and the left end of power cylinder 151 is connected to knee pin 154 of the toggle comprising links 155 and 156. The lower end of lower link 155 is pivotally connected at 157 to bracket 158 of the stationary frame, and the upper end of lower link 155 is connected at knee 154 to the lower end of upper link 156. The latter is pivotally connected at pin 159 to movable frame member 101. The extended overcenter position for toggle 155, 156 is established through the engagement of adjustable stop 261 (FIG. 7) with the portion of upper link 156 that extends above pivot 159. Power cylinder 151 is deactuated to collapse toggle 155, 156 and thereby lower the lower assembly 17 when it is desired to feed sheets through apparatus without coating these sheets. Rectangular frame 75 of delivery conveyor 16 is pivotally mounted near its forward end to the tops of a pair of spaced posts 201. The pivot point for frame 75 is defined by output shaft 202 of gear type transmission 203, whose input shaft 204 is rotated by helical gear drive 205 operated by hand crank 206 mounted to shaft 207. Downward extensions 209 from frame 75 are fixedly secured to shaft 202, so that pivoting of the latter causes pivoting of frame 75 together with belts 33 and their guide and drive wheels 2ll-215 all mounted to frame 75. Lacquer conveying pipe 217 is also secured to movable frame 75 and is disposed so that with the latter in its horizontal or operating position of FIGS. 1 and 6, the downturned end 218 at the rear of pipe 217 extends into lacquer pan 102 of the impression roll clean-up system. When the forward ends of upper or lower sub-assemblies 16, 17 are tobe inspected or serviced, movable frame 75 is pivoted counterclockwise to a generally vertical position, thereby providing freedom of access at the front of subassemblies 16 and 17.

Although in the foregoing there have been described preferred embodiments of this novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited not by the specific disclosure contained herein but only by the appending claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows.

1. Apparatus for conveying sheets forward along a generally horizontal feed path; said apparatus including pusher means for engaging the rear edge of a sheet to push the latter forward; drive means for operating said pusher means; side guide means for establishingthe transverse position of sheets on said feed path; fluid operated means for moving said side guide means to a sheet engaging operative position and maintaining said side guide means in said operative position while such sheet is being driven by said pusher means; additional means positioned along said feed path forward of said guide means and said pusher means to receive sheets moved by the latter; actuator means controlling operation of said fluid operated means; said actuator means being operatively connected for operation in coordination with said pusher means whereby said side guide means moves to a retracted position disengaged from a sheet after the latter is under the control of said additional means; said side guide means including first and second sections for engaging opposite side edges of a sheet; said fluid operated means applying a greater force to said first section than to said second section; and a stop means to limit inward movement of said first and second sections during sheet movement by said pusher means at which time inward movement of said second section maintains a sheet in contact with said first section.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which there is an adjustable support movable forward and rearward relative to said additional means during operation of said pusher means; said pusher means being mounted to said support for movement therewith to adjust the position of said pusher means at which the latter releases a sheet being moved thereby after such sheet is under the control of said additional means; said actuator means also being mounted to said support for movement therewith whereby coordination between operations of said side guide means and said pusher means is maintained as the position of the latter is adjusted.

3. Apparatus for conveying sheets forward along a generally horizontal feed path; said apparatus including initial pusher means for engaging the rear edge of a sheet to push the latter forward; register pusher means for engaging the rear edge of a sheet delivered by said initial pusher to push such sheet forward; drive means for operating said register pusher means at a faster speed than said initial pusher means; additional means positioned forward of said register pusher to receive sheets moved by the latter; an adjustable support movable forward and rearward relative to said additional means during operation of said initial and register pusher means; said register pusher means being mounted to said support for movement therewith to adjust the position of said register pusher means at which the latter releases a sheet being moved thereby after such sheet is under the control of said additional means; said initial pusher means having a portion thereof mounted to said support for movement therewith whereby operation of said initial pusher means in coordination with operation of said register pusher means is maintained as the position of the latter is adjusted for different lengths of sheets.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 also including side guide means for establishing the transverse position of sheets on said feed path; fluid operated means for moving said side guide means to a sheet engaging operative position and maintaining said side guide means in said operative position while such sheet is being driven by register pusher means; actuator means controlling operation of said fluid operated means; said actuator means being mounted to said support for movement therewith, and being operatively connected for operation in coordination with said register pusher means whereby said side guide means moves to a retracted position disengaged from a sheet after the latter is under the control of said additional means.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which the side guide means includes first and second sections for en- 3 ,774,905 v 9 10 gaging opposite edges of a sheet; said fluid operated movement by said register pusher means at which time means applying a greater force to' said first section than inward movement of said second section maintains a to said second section; and a stop means to limit inward sheet in contact with said first section. movement of said first and second sections duringsheet 

1. Apparatus for conveying sheets forward along a generally horizontal feed path; said apparatus including pusher means for engaging the rear edge of a sheet to push the latter forward; drive means for operating said pusher means; side guide means for establishing the transverse position of sheets on said feed path; fluid operated means for moving said side guide means to a sheet engaging operative position and maintaining said side guide means in said operative position while such sheet is being driven by said pusher means; additional means positioned along said feed path forward of said guide means and said pusher means to receive sheets moved by the latter; actuator means controlling operation of said fluid operated means; said actuator means being operatively connected for operation in coordination with said pusher means whereby said side guide means moves to a retracted position disengaged from a sheet after the latter is under the control of said additional means; said side guide means including first and second sections for engaging opposite side edges of a sheet; said fluid operated means applying a greater force to said first section than to said second section; and a stop means to limit inward movement of said first and second sections during sheet movement by said pusher means at which time inward movement of said second section maintains a sheet in contact with said first section.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which there is an adjustable support movable forward and rearward relative to said additional means during operation of said pusher means; said pusher means being mounted to said support for movement therewith to adjust the position of said pusher means at which the latter releases a sheet being moved thereby after such sheet is under the control of said additional means; said actuator means also being mounted to said support for movement therewith whereby coordination between operations of said side guide means and said pusher means is maintained as the position of the latter is adjusted.
 3. Apparatus for conveying sheets forward along a generally horizontal feed path; said apparatus including initial pusher means for engaging the rear edge of a sheet to push the latter forward; register pusher means for engaging the rear edge of a sheet delivered by said initial pusher to push such sheet forward; drive means for operating said register pusher means at a faster speed than said initial pusher means; additional means positioned forward of said register pusher to receive sheets moved by the latter; an adjustable support movable forward and rearward relative to said additional means during operation of said initial and register pusher means; said regisTer pusher means being mounted to said support for movement therewith to adjust the position of said register pusher means at which the latter releases a sheet being moved thereby after such sheet is under the control of said additional means; said initial pusher means having a portion thereof mounted to said support for movement therewith whereby operation of said initial pusher means in coordination with operation of said register pusher means is maintained as the position of the latter is adjusted for different lengths of sheets.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 also including side guide means for establishing the transverse position of sheets on said feed path; fluid operated means for moving said side guide means to a sheet engaging operative position and maintaining said side guide means in said operative position while such sheet is being driven by register pusher means; actuator means controlling operation of said fluid operated means; said actuator means being mounted to said support for movement therewith, and being operatively connected for operation in coordination with said register pusher means whereby said side guide means moves to a retracted position disengaged from a sheet after the latter is under the control of said additional means.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which the side guide means includes first and second sections for engaging opposite edges of a sheet; said fluid operated means applying a greater force to said first section than to said second section; and a stop means to limit inward movement of said first and second sections during sheet movement by said register pusher means at which time inward movement of said second section maintains a sheet in contact with said first section. 